I have been wondering this lately, so I decided to ask Merriam-Webster:
Gymnastics - Physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination.
Calisthenics - Systematic rhythmic bodily exercises performed usually without apparatus.
So where do all the push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, etc. that I have been doing fit in? With either one really, but since I use various "apparatus" (jump-rope, weight bar etc) I will use gymnastics.
Last night I spent two hours working on a frame to support my new shoulder press machine. Basically this involved splicing several 60 x 80 mm boards together and drilling a bunch of holes. This frame will in turn be fastened to the massive timber beams upstairs in my shed (I’ll take a picture when I’m done).
I also did an aggressive (for me) gymnastic/weight training workout including:
120 - Push-ups (sets of 20)
100 - Sit-ups (sets of 20)
30 – Squats (sets of 10)
10 – Squats (with 30 kg)
10 - Jumping pull-ups (use as much leg push as needed, lower slowly)
10 - Pure negatives pull-ups (climb to top using whatever means necessary, then lower slowly)
etc.
My grand finale:
Approx. 12 minute round robin of: 10x each dumbbell shoulder press/curls/bench press followed by 1 minute of jumping rope – repeat until muscle failure.
Despite using very low (almost laughable) weight, this workout still left me whimpering like a puppy.
My weight is still 73 kg/161 lbs. (same as last Wednesday), but I swear my jeans feel looser this morning :-)
Can anyone recommend a standard weight training program that I can use? In the moment I am just doing whatever pops into my head, I need to get organized with my weight training.
Here's the 4 Rules we were given in Leanness Lifestyle to create your own resistance training program:
1)Lg muscle groups (chest, thigh, back, hamstrings) before small (shoulder, triceps, biceps, traps, calves, abs)
2)Multi joints (shoulder/elbow/waist&hip/knee) before single joint movements.
3)Same rep & set numbers for chest, back, thigh, tricep, biceps--1/3 the sets & reps for calves, abs, shoulders, traps, hanstrings.
4)Don't train the same body parts two days in a row. Avoid push (chest, shoulder, triceps) or pull movements (back, trap, biceps) two days in a row.
That's really interesting! I've always thought of gymnastics and things involving cartwheels and such!
I typically follow various magazines I follow for strength training. They don't involve a lot of weight so I think they're aimed more towards women!
Check out http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php - some very good exercise programs by a pro. Free!
Gymnastics are the cartwheels, back handsprings, twisty-flippy stuff, and such and for those the "aparatus" is the floor mat. Then there is the uneven bars, or the balance beam, the vault, or the rings.
All the rest is probably the calisthenics.